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Staff Silicon Engineer

Cognichip Inc.

Redwood City, CAHybridFull-timeNo compensation foundPosted 3mo agoVerified open 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Redwood City, CAHybrid
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

Cognichip Inc. is hiring a Staff Silicon Engineer. Cognichip is seeking a Staff Silicon Engineer to build production-grade tools for chip design and verification. This role involves combining strong software engineering, applied AI/ML, and semiconductor-domain understanding to transform how semiconductor engineers create, verify, and optimize chips. The engineer will help turn advanced research ideas into practical workflows, accelerating semiconductor development.

Key focus areas include Translate deep semiconductor domain expertise into robust software requirements and implementations., Architect and implement agentic workflows to generate synthetic or augmented RTL and UVM code., and Create essential datasets for training and fine-tuning advanced AI models..

Successful candidates bring 8+ Years Silicon Design Experience, MS Or PhD In Electrical Engineering, and Deep Understanding Of ASIC/FPGA Design Lifecycle. Important skills include Software Engineering, Applied AI/ML, Semiconductor Domain Understanding, RTL Design, Verilog, and UVM-Based Verification. Preferred (not required): LangSmith, LangGraph, Computer Architecture, and AI Accelerators.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Software EngineeringApplied AI/MLSemiconductor Domain UnderstandingRTL DesignVerilogUVM-Based VerificationPhysical Design FlowsEDA ToolsCadenceSynopsysMentor/SiemensPythonC++Building Scalable Software SystemsLLMsPrompt EngineeringPyTorchTensorFlowTechnical LeadershipCoachingCross-Functional Project LeadershipLangSmithLangGraphComputer ArchitectureAI AcceleratorsHigh-Performance ComputingOpen-Source Hardware ContributionsAI Project Contributions

Qualifications

8+ Years Silicon Design, Verification, or Hardware-Focused Software Development ExperienceMS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Related Field

Full job description

Job Title Staff Silicon Engineer About Cognichip - At Cognichip, we are building AI-native tools that transform how semiconductor engineers create, verify, and optimize chips.- Our platform combines large proprietary models, agentic workflows, domain-specific engineering intelligence, and high-performance simulation infrastructure to accelerate one of the world's most complex engineering disciplines. About the Role - We are seeking a Staff Silicon Engineer who can combine strong software engineering, applied AI/ML, and semiconductor-domain understanding to build production-grade tools for chip design and verification.- In this role, you will help turn advanced research ideas into practical workflows used by engineers designing real silicon.- This work matters because chip design is becoming too complex for traditional workflows alone, and AI-native engineering systems can meaningfully change the speed, quality, and scale of semiconductor development. Key Responsibilities - Bridge Hardware and Software: Translate deep semiconductor domain expertise into robust software requirements and implementations.- Develop Agentic Data Pipelines: Architect and implement agentic workflows specifically designed to generate synthetic or augmented RTL and UVM code, creating essential datasets for training and fine-tuning advanced AI models.- Agentic Workflow Optimization: Fine-tune and optimize agentic workflow for domain-specific engineering tasks such as RTL generation, verification planning, and bug triage.- Infrastructure Development: Build and maintain high-performance simulation and testing infrastructure to validate AI-generated hardware designs.- Technical Leadership: Provide mentorship to junior engineers and lead cross-functional projects involving AI researchers and hardware architects. Required Qualifications - Experience: 8+ years of experience in silicon design, verification, or hardware-focused software development.- Semiconductor Domain: Deep understanding of the ASIC/FPGA design lifecycle in at least two of the three phases: RTL design (Verilog/SystemVerilog), UVM-based verification, and physical design flows.- EDA Tools: Experience with, and being a power user of, commercial EDA tools from major vendors (Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor/Siemens).- Software Proficiency: Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages, with experience in building scalable software systems.- AI/ML Knowledge: Practical experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, or machine learning frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow) applied to technical domains.- Education: MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications - Experience with LangSmith and LangGraph to build Agentic workflow..- Background in computer architecture, specifically for AI accelerators or high-performance computing.- Contributions to open-source hardware or AI projects. What It's Like Here - We’re a fast-moving AI startup with a collaborative, high-trust culture.- We value technical excellence, ownership, and the freedom to experiment.- Our best work happens when our builders and innovators work closely together to turn ambitious ideas into category defining products.- We operate on a hybrid schedule with four days in office, one day remote.- If you’re excited to build cutting edge tools that empower semiconductor engineers and reshape how chips are designed, you’ll feel right at home.

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